NFL to Launch New Professional Flag Football League

The league will feature former NFL stars like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning ahead of flag football's Olympic debut.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:03pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic action and overlapping perspectives of a flag football game, with players and the ball rendered as fragmented, overlapping shapes in a bold color palette.The NFL's new professional flag football league will showcase the sport's dynamic athleticism and strategic complexity on a global stage.Los Angeles Today

The NFL announced on Monday that it is launching a new professional flag football league for both men and women. The move comes in advance of the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, where flag football will debut as an Olympic sport.

Why it matters

The NFL is looking to capitalize on the growing popularity of flag football and introduce the sport to a wider audience ahead of its Olympic debut. This new league will feature high-profile former NFL players and help raise the profile of flag football as a competitive sport.

The details

The new NFL flag football league will feature both men's and women's teams, with rosters that include former NFL stars like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. The league is being launched in preparation for flag football's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, where it will make its debut as an Olympic sport.

  • The NFL announced the new league on March 30, 2026.
  • Flag football will debut as an Olympic sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

The players

Tom Brady

Legendary former NFL quarterback who is expected to participate in the new NFL flag football league.

Peyton Manning

Iconic former NFL quarterback who is also expected to be involved in the new NFL flag football league.

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What’s next

The new NFL flag football league is expected to launch in the coming years, leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics where the sport will make its Olympic debut.

The takeaway

This new NFL flag football league represents the league's efforts to grow the popularity of the sport and introduce it to a wider audience ahead of its inclusion in the 2028 Olympics. It will feature high-profile former NFL stars and help raise the profile of flag football as a competitive sport.